ESL: English as a Second Language.
FACULTY: Faculties are generally made up of several departments which organise the teaching and administration of the actual subjects in each discipline.
FEE PLACE: An enrolment in a university course where the student is responsible for the full cost of the fees. These places are not covered by a government subsidy. Fee places are offered in addition to Commonwealth supported places at many universities.
FEE-HELP: A Commonwealth Government loan program available to students enrolled in fee places.
HECS Fee: The charge incurred by a student enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place.
HECS-HELP Loans: These are available to eligible students enrolled in Commonwealth Supported Places. A HECS-HELP loan will cover all or part of the student contribution amount. HECS-HELP debt is recorded with the Tax Office. There are no loan fees charged on HECS-HELP loans, and these are repaid through tax.
MAJOR: The main area of study undertaken as part of a degree course. For example, a Science student may major in a variety of areas such as Information Technology, Genetics, French, Environmental Studies or Statistics.
OPEN DAY: Day when a university is open to the public and prospective students and parents are able to gather information, and talk to current students and staff.
PATHWAYS: Pathways refers to the many different ways young people can move from compulsory education through to independent young adulthood. Examples of pathways include vocational education (through a school, college, TAFE or private provider), higher education (at a university), apprenticeships and workplace experience.
PORTFOLIO: Collection of a student’s work in a particular area of the arts, for example, painting or photography, which demonstrates their range of ability in that field. The portfolio is then used as part of the application/interview process for such courses.
PREREQUISITE STUDIES: Studies that must be satisfactorily completed by all applicants seeking admission to that course. These are listed in the VTAC Guide. Applicants who do not meet the prerequisites may not be considered for selection.
STUDENT LEARNING ENTITLEMENT: Eligible students are initially allocated seven full-time years in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). This is known as ‘Student Learning Entitlement’ (SLE).
TAFE: Technical and Further Education. Some institutions have TAFE as well as university sectors. TAFE courses are directly related to specific jobs and careers or apprenticeships and traineeships.
UNDERGRADUATE: Student who is undertaking study leading towards a first degree.
UMAT: Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test, which is a requirement for Australian students wanting to apply for health science courses at universities. The UMAT is held throughout Australia in July.
VCE: Victorian Certificate of Education.
VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre): All Australian students (and international students studying in Victoria) apply through VTAC for most undergraduate courses at universities. Other states have equivalent Tertiary Admissions Centres: for a full list, see your child’s school or the section on ‘Applying’ at www.goingtouni.gov.au
VTAC Guide: VTAC Guide to University and TAFE Courses, available online at www.vtac.edu.au and from careers advisers and newsagents.
YOUTH ALOWANCE: A Government assistance scheme which covers students under the age of 25 years. The allowance is based on parents’ financial situation, unless the student is classified as belonging to one of the Youth Allowance ‘independent’ categories. For more information regarding these contact Centrelink on 13 24 90 or www.centrelink.gov.au